Okay, so there's this horse that I ride once or twice a week (and have been for about a year and a half now). I love him to death but recently he has developed a nasty habit of bucking violently after most jumps. I am starting to think he might need to be chiropracted, but since he is not mine there isn't much I can do about that. Mostly I just need advice on how to stay on (I manage to most of the time, but these are BIG bucks so there is always the chance of eating dirt >.<) and how to control this!
Things I have tried:
- lower fences. height doesn't seem to make a difference, he bucks exactly the same amount after a 3ft oxer as after a canter pole.
- a lighter seat after the jump. just made me more likely to come off >.<
- a deeper seat after the jump. no difference.
- tried a whole range of takeoff distances, no difference
- less pace going to the jump. just made him square.
- more pace going to the jump. made him crazier. lol.
- several kinds of therapeutic saddle pads, to help a possible saddle fit issue.
- letting him get lots of rolls and doing back stretch exercises with him.

I'd also like it to be noted that he is not having any trouble whatsoever getting over the fences. He never refuses, runs out, or touches a rail, and he LOVES to jump. I just have no idea what's going on with him.

I know you have already tried this...but...
Start with some single canter or trot poles. Sit deep going over them instead of getting in jumping position. Right after the pole work on stopping him. Keep working so that your poles become fences and get larger. Make sure when you are jumping you are using soft hands and releasing over the jump. Also make sure you arent landing hard on the horses neck or back. Constantly supple him over the flat and after the fence so he pays attention to you. Wiggle your fingers and sit down and around him.
If anything, he probably needs more flat training. Working on suppleness, transitions and stops, and going over poles so he learns to accept the bit and pay attention to you not the bucking. Hope everything turns out okay....

My horse has a habit of bucking after fences too, for the most part i have him quieted down so that he only plays a little. I realized that my horse really enjoys jumping and that if he hasnt jumped in a while he will buck. But he is also a quick thinker so i have to always give him something to do. Once i have him focused into the jump i will sit deep and wait for the fence and immediately when i land i give him something to do such as turning or moving forward or stepping back a bit. Normally I have to land with a deep seat and a steady slightly holding hand and drive him forward (with more empulsion) to keep him focused and it will normally quiet down his bucks and he rarely bucks now when I do that. Another thing to do is set up a pole 1-2 strides out away from the fence so that when he lands he is thinking about the pole not bucking. Each horse is different so you will probably have to try out a couple of methods before you find the one that works for your horse

Good luck!

It is not just a horse,
It is the one thing that keeps me from being just a girl

If he never had this habit before, and now does regardless of height or your seat or position and you're not hitting him in the back or catching him in the mouth over fences, it SCREAMS of saddle fit and chiro issues to me to be honest. I know you say he isn't yours, however as a rider of this horse, it would be in your and his best interest to bring this up to whomever does own the horse as if he is in pain (which it sounds like!) no amount of training or riding through it will make it better.

If he never had this habit before, and now does regardless of height or your seat or position and you're not hitting him in the back or catching him in the mouth over fences, it SCREAMS of saddle fit and chiro issues to me to be honest. I know you say he isn't yours, however as a rider of this horse, it would be in your and his best interest to bring this up to whomever does own the horse as if he is in pain (which it sounds like!) no amount of training or riding through it will make it better.

Good luck!

I agree... Especially since he is an amazingly good boy with anything else, he gets hot and quick but never fresh like this. I am going to bring it up with his owner and trainer this weekend. The other girl who rides him recently took a pretty hard tumble because of this new habit, so hopefully that will make them see sense.

If he never had this habit before, and now does regardless of height or your seat or position and you're not hitting him in the back or catching him in the mouth over fences, it SCREAMS of saddle fit and chiro issues to me to be honest. I know you say he isn't yours, however as a rider of this horse, it would be in your and his best interest to bring this up to whomever does own the horse as if he is in pain (which it sounds like!) no amount of training or riding through it will make it better.

Exactly, I was thinking the same thing when I read the OP's post. Saddle fit is the first thing.

I would definately have a professional saddle maker/fitter come and asess the horses back, saddle and with a rider in it. Definately first thing on my list to do.

I would have a Chiro come out and work on his back.

To the OP - I hope you can get the owners to do what is most important for this horse! Keep us posted :)

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